Now and then: Duval on rivalry with Woods

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LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – David Duval was one of Tiger Woods’ original rivals. The two had a healthy back and forth in the late 1990s, early 2000s that golf fans thought would last longer than it did.

Injuries have plagued Duval for most of the last decade, and this year he has played 13 events on the PGA Tour, missed 10 cuts, withdrew once and has finishes of T-60 and T-66. He’s earned $26,696.

But Duval was front and center Wednesday at his beloved Open Championship. His 2001 victory came here at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which still stands as his lone major championship.

Duval was asked to describe his relationship with Woods when they were rivals and asked to compare that with their relationship now. Duval, always a complex individual, asked the reporter the importance of the question and said he’d never been asked that before.

“We were decent friends 10 years ago, 12 years ago. We talked a fair amount,” Duval said. “Now, are we friends? I guess so. We don’t talk.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to have a beer with him, but it would probably have to be hidden in some house somewhere. It’s not like he can go to the public and do it.”